Apparatus and method for executing a plurality of processes in parallel, and storage medium storing a program for implementing the method

ABSTRACT

After image data received from a facsimile on the transmission side through a public telephone circuit was stored into a disk, the image data is read out from the disk, index information is added to the image data, and the resultant data is preserved into an image file apparatus through an external interface, thereby enabling the image data received by a facsimile apparatus to be searched in the image file apparatus.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 08/901,132, filedon Jul. 28, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,154,779, which is a continuationof application Ser. No. 08/578,056, filed Dec. 22, 1995, now abandoned,which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/138,087, filed Oct.20, 1993, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an image processing apparatus for storing areceived image.

2. Related Background Art

There is a facsimile apparatus for preserving image data received via afacsimile to a hard disk without recording onto a paper.

Such a facsimile apparatus is used to save papers or to preserve thereceived image data to a medium other than the paper.

However, in such a facsimile apparatus, when the image data preserved inthe hard disk is searched, there is a way nothing but the image data issearched by using the telephone number on the transmission side as a keyword, so that it is difficult to search desired image data. In order toinput the image data into a filing apparatus in which the image data canbe easily searched, the image data preserved in the hard disk is onceread out from the facsimile apparatus and is recorded onto the papersand the recording papers must be read into the filing apparatus, so thatthose operations are very troublesome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an image receiving apparatuswhich can solve the above problem.

Another object of the invention is to provide an image receivingapparatus which can improve a using efficiency of the user.

To accomplish the above objects, according to the invention, there isprovided an image processing apparatus comprising: receiving means forreceiving data; first and second memory means for storing the data; andprocessing means for processing a plurality of data in parallel, whereinwhile said processing means is processing one data, when the receivingmeans receives another data, the processing means continues the processof the data that is being processed and allows another data from thereceiving means to be stored into the first memory means and, further,allows the another data stored in the first memory means to be storedinto the second memory means.

According to the invention, there is also provided image processingapparatus comprising: receiving means for receiving data; first andsecond memory means for storing the data; control means for storing thedata from the receiving means into the first memory means; and thirdmemory means for storing additional information, wherein the controlmeans adds the additional information stored in the third memory meansto the data stored in the first memory means and allows the resultantdata to be stored into the second memory means.

According to the invention, there is also provided an image processingapparatus comprising: receiving means for receiving data; first andsecond memory means for storing the data; instructing means forinstructing so as to store the data stored in the first memory meansinto the second memory means; control means for executing a control ineither one of a first mode in which after the data from the receivingmeans was stored into the first memory means, the data stored in thefirst memory means is stored into the second memory means irrespectiveof an instruction from the instructing means and a second mode in whichafter the data from the receiving means was stored into the first memorymeans, the data stored in the first memory means is stored into thesecond memory means in accordance with an instruction from theinstructing means; and selecting means for selecting either one of thefirst and second modes.

According to the invention, there is provided an image processingapparatus comprising: receiving means for receiving data; first andsecond memory means for storing data; third memory means for storing aplurality of additional information; and control means for allowing thedata from the receiving means to be stored into the first memory means,wherein the control means selects either one of a first mode in whichthe additional information selected before the receiving means receivesthe data from among the plurality of additional information stored inthe third memory means is added to the data stored in the first memorymeans and the resultant data is stored into the second memory means anda second mode in which the additional information selected after r thereceiving means finished the data reception from among the plurality ofadditional information stored in the third memory means is added to thedata stored in the first memory means and the resultant data is storedinto the second memory means, and the control m means subsequentlyexecutes a control in the select ed mode.

The above and other objects and features of the present invention willbecome e apparent from the e following detailed description and theappended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an internal constructional diagram of an image receivingapparatus;

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a multitask operation;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for control of a background task;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for control of a background task;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for control of a background task;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for control of a background task;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the screen to select a processing mode;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the display of a history file;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an image file apparatus 400;

FIG. 10 is an internal perspective view of the image file apparatus 400;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the image file apparatus 400;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display image upon registration of anindex;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display image upon index search;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an index image data file;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the content of a document management file;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the content of a page management file;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the content of a node table;

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a memory area in a medium of a magnetoopticdisk 35;

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the correspondence between a logicaladdress and a physical address; and

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an address management table.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is an internal constructional diagram of an image receivingapparatus.

An image receiving apparatus 300 is controlled by executing a programstored in an ROM 317 by a CPU 316.

The following component elements are connected to a system bus 324:namely, an image reception unit 301 comprising a well-known NCU (NetworkControl Unit) 302, a well-known demodulation unit 303, and a buffer 304;a disk interface 306 as an interface to a magnetic disk 305; a mouseinterface 307 to input from a mouse 308 as a well-known pointing device;a keyboard interface 310 connected to a keyboard 309; a timer circuit311 to interrupt the CPU 316 at a predetermined period; a clockingcircuit 312 to read out the time and date; a printer interface 314 as aninterface to a printer 315 such as an LBP (Laser Beam Printer), athermal printer, or the like; a display interface 320 as an interface tothe display 5 such as a CRT, a liquid crystal display, or the like; adisplay memory 319 to store display information to the display 5; anexternal interface 313 as an interface to a communication interface 17of an external image file apparatus 400; an RAM 318 into which a generalprogram and data on the processing are stored; and the like.

The image file apparatus 400 is an apparatus for reading an image of anoriginal 1 and storing image information to a medium such as amagnetooptic disk 35 or the like or searching the image information.

After the image data received from a facsimile apparatus 322 on thetransmission side through a public telephone circuit 321 was stored tothe disk 305, the image data is read out from the disk 305 and indexinformation is added to the image data. After that, the resultant datais preserved into the image file apparatus 400 through the externalinterface 313.

FIG. 9 is an external view of the image file apparatus 400. FIG. 10 isan internal perspective view of the image file apparatus 400. FIG. 11 isa block constructional diagram of the image file apparatus 400.

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 1 denotes the original whose image which isset in order to record image information to the magnetooptic disk; 2 anoriginal supporting plate; 3 a and 3 b restricting plates to restrictthe conveyance of the original; 4 a paper delivery section; 5 a screen(display) to display image information, an operation instruction, or thelike; 6 an inserting port to insert the magnetooptic disk; and 7 akeyboard to input a key word or the like via a keyboard interface 16when an image is searched.

When image information is recorded, as shown in FIG. 9, the operatorputs the original 1 onto the original supporting plate 2 and gives aninstruction for the reading operation by the keyboard 7 or the like, sothat the conveyance of the original is started.

First, a feed roller 102 shown in FIG. 10 rotates in the direction shownby an arrow and the original is fed to a separating section. Theseparating section comprises a paper feed roller 103 and a separatingroller 104 and respectively rotate counterclockwise. The original(original locating at the top position) in the surface layer portion ofthe originals stacked is first fed. The originals other than the toporiginal are remained by the interval between the paper feed roller 103and the separating roller 104 and by a frictional force between theoriginal and the separating roller 104.

The original 1 which was fed first is subsequently conveyed to a readingsection R by conveying rollers 105 a and 105 b.

In the reading section R, the image of the original illuminated by anilluminating lamp 106 is reflected by mirrors 107 to 109 and is led to alens 110 and is converged by the lens 110 and is read by a CCD 111 (thesuffix a or b in each reference numeral is omitted here).

In FIG. 10, a section comprising the component elements 106 a to 111 aand a section comprising the component elements 106 b to 111 b have thesame construction and can simultaneously read the images on both sidesof one original.

The original which passed through the reading section R is stacked ontoa paper delivery tray 113 by paper delivery rollers 112 a and 112 b.

The above series of operations are continuously executed and arecontinued until the absence of the original on an originalsupporting-plate 101 is detected by an original sensor 120.

A drive system 19 shown in FIG. 11 comprises the original sensor 120 andmotors (not shown) to drive the conveying rollers 102 to 105, 112, andthe like. The above conveying operations are executed by controlling thedrive system 19 by a CPU 10 through the drive system interface 18.

Image signals obtained by the CCD 111 a for the front surface and theCCD 111 b for the back surface are supplied to a synthesizing unit 36through amplifiers 20 a and 20 b, respectively.

The synthesizing unit 36 has a function such that when the data of onemain scan is supplied from the CCD 111 a for the front side to the nextstage, an internal switching device is switched and the image data ofone main scan is subsequently supplied from the CCD 111 b for the backside to the next stage.

The image data on the front and back sides are converted into the serialdata on a main scan unit basis and sent to a compression unit at thenext stage.

The above operations have been described with respect to the readingmode of two sides. In the case where the reading mode of one side isdesignated, the above switching operation is not performed but the imagedata is always sent from the CCD 111 a for the front side to the nextstage.

After the image signal from the synthesizing unit 36 was quantized by anA/D converting unit 21, an image process such as an edge emphasis or thelike is executed by an image processing unit 22 and is converted intothe binary image data of 1/0 by a binarization unit 23.

The binary image data is stored into a graphics RAM 13 and is subjectedto a well-known image information compression based on the MH, MR, MMR,or the like by a compressing unit 24. After that, the compressed imagedata is stored into either one of data buffers 33 a and 33 b.

The graphic RAM 13 is constructed in a manner such that the data to bestored is drawn on the display by an output data flow controller 30. Thebinary image data stored in the graphic RAM 13 as mentioned above isdisplayed on the display 5. A text RAM 14 is a memory for storingcharacter and the like as character data to be displayed. The characterdata is displayed on the display 5. An ROM 11 is a memory into which acontrol program is stored. An RAM 12 is a memory into which a generalprogram and data on the processing are stored.

The compressed image data stored in the compressed data buffer 33 a or33 b is sent to a magnetooptic disk drive 115 through a disk interface27 and written to a magnetooptic disk 35.

The reason why there are two compressed data buffers 33 a and 33 b isbecause, for example, even while the compressed image data in thecompressed data buffer 33 a is being written to the magnetooptic disk35, the next original is scanned and its compressed image data is storedinto the compressed data buffer 33 b.

Consequently, the restriction such that until the writing operation ofthe image data of the preceding original into the magnetooptic disk 35is finished, the apparatus must wait for the scan of the next originalis avoided. A recording speed of the original is improved.

The operation in case of displaying the recorded image will now bedescribed.

After the desired compressed image data on the magnetooptic disk wasspecified in accordance with a procedure, which will be explainedhereinlater, the CPU 10 controls the disk interface 27, so that thecompressed image data is read out by the magnetooptic disk drive 115.

In this instance, the apparatus is in a state in which it functions in amanner such that a disk data flow controller 26 sends the compressedimage data from the disk interface 27 to an expanding unit 25 under thecontrol of the CPU 10.

In this instance, the CPU 10 gives an instruction to an output data flowcontroller 30 so as to store the image data from the expanding unit 25into the graphic RAM 13 and to display the image data in the graphic RAM13 onto the display 5 in a manner similar to the case of recording ofthe image.

The compressed image data recorded on the magnetooptic disk 35 isdisplayed as mentioned above.

When the image is printed, in a state in which the image is displayed onthe display 5 as mentioned above, the CPU 10 gives an instruction to theoutput data flow controller 30 so as to send the image data in thegraphic RAM 13 to an LBP 31.

As a display 5, a well-known liquid crystal display or a CRT (cathoderay tube) or the like can be used. As an LBP, it is possible to use awell-known laser beam printer such that a toner is deposited onto aphotosensitive drum by irradiating a laser beam to the photosensitivedrum and the toner is transferred onto the paper, thereby obtaining aprint.

The internal operation regarding the recording and search of the imagewill now be described.

First, prior to actually recording the original image, a symbolic imagecalled an index image to search the original to be recorded in futureare previously recorded onto the magnetooptic disk 35.

The above recording operation is executed in a manner similar to therecording of the original image mentioned above. An instruction suchthat the index image including a character image of, for example,“PARTS” in FIG. 12 is subsequently displayed at the left upper positionis designated by using function keys 34 arranged in a line in thelateral direction each time one index image is recorded.

For example, by depressing the leftmost function key (key locating belowa character “1”) twice, the second position from the leftmost topposition can be designated.

When a plurality of index images are recorded as mentioned above, anindex image data file is generated on the magnetooptic disk 35 as shownin FIG. 14.

When the original image is recorded, an image is first displayed asshown in FIG. 13 prior to actually recording the original.

The operator selects the index image to search the original to berecorded from now on by using the function keys 34.

For example, in case of recording the original of a parts drawing, it issufficient to select the index images of (a) and (e).

By selecting the index images (a) and (e), an image index pattern inwhich “1” is set to the bit positions corresponding to the selectedindex images are produced as shown in FIG. 14.

Or, a key word or a key No. to search the original to be recorded fromnow on can be also inputted to the columns of (g) and (h) in FIG. 13 bythe keyboard 7.

After the index image, key word, or key No. as mentioned above wasinputted, the foregoing recording operation of the original is executed.

At a time point of the end of the recording of the original, the data tosearch the original existing on the magnetooptic disk 35 and recorded ina document management file shown in FIG. 15 has been produced.

For instance, in case of the example of “PARTS DRAWING” mentioned above,a record including “100010. . . ” indicative of the image index pattern,“PARTS DRAWING” indicative of the key word, “150” indicative of the keyNo., and the like is produced at the second stage in FIG. 15.

In addition to them, the time and date of the formation of such a record(recording time and date), the total number of pages, and the likeobtained by a clocking unit 15 in FIG. 11 are written.

The information regarding each page of the recorded original is writtenin a page management file in FIG. 16. “PAGE FILE POINTER” in a documentmanagement file in FIG. 15 denotes that which number of record in thepage management file in FIG. 16 relates to the first page of theoriginal recorded at that time.

The front/back mode, namely, information regarding whether the page hasbeen read in the both-side mode or one-side mode as mentioned above isalso recorded in the page management file.

In the above example, the position on the disk of the image data on themagnetooptic disk 35, that is, the foregoing compressed image data ismanaged by allowing a data table called a node table shown in FIG. 17 tobe held on the magnetooptic disk 35.

An FAT entry in the node table in FIG. 17 will be described hereinbelow.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a storage area in the medium of themagnetooptic disk 35.

As is well known, a memory area of such a disk is divided by physicalsegments called tracks and sectors. Such a physical segment ishereinafter called a physical address.

The magnetooptic disk drive 115 in FIG. 11 accesses the area on themagnetooptic disk 35 into/from which information is stored or read outon the basis of the physical address designated from the outside of thedisk drive 115. On the other hand, in the CPU, the area is managed by alogical area segment called a well-known cluster. The positioninformation of the logical area segment is hereinafter called a logicaladdress.

In such a system, the correspondence between the logical address and thephysical address has unconditionally been determined as shown in anexample of FIG. 19. The determination of the logical address isequivalent to the determination of the physical address.

A management table indicative of “UNUSED”/“USED”/“ERASED” of the areathat is designated by the logical address has been stored on thespecified physical address in the medium.

In the example, in the case where the cluster is unused, FFFF iswritten. In the case where the cluster was erased, FFFE is written. Inthe case where the cluster is a final cluster of the file, 0000 iswritten. Further, in the case where there is a cluster which continuesto the cluster, the logical address of the continuous cluster iswritten.

There is the following difference between “ERASED” and “UNUSED”.“UNUSED” denotes a state in which no meaning information exists at aposition designated by the logical address. “ERASED” denotes a state inwhich after the file was erased, information appears, namely, a state inwhich the information still exists at the position designated by thelogical address.

Such a management table is ordinarily called an FAT (File AllocationTable) or the like and is shown in FIG. 20.

The upper stage in FIG. 20 shows the logical addresses. Informationindicating that the logical address shows “UNUSED” or “USED” or “ERASED”is written in the lower stage.

FIG. 20 shows a state in which the logical addresses 62B0 to 62BA havebeen used and the logical address 62BB and subsequent logical addressesare unused.

The logical addresses 62AD to 62AF show that although such a portion hadbeen a part of the effective file, it was erased later.

The foregoing node table is a table in which the FAT entry (62B0 in theabove example) indicating which position in the FAT relates to thecompressed image file of the page and the size (the number of bytes) ofthe compressed image data are set into one record. An amount indicativeof which number of record in the node table is called “node” and iswritten every page in the page management file in FIG. 16 mentionedabove.

As mentioned above, the compressed image data is written to themagnetooptic disk 35 and the record is added to each of the node table,page management file, and document management file, so that therecording operation of the original is finished.

The internal operation upon searching of the image will now bedescribed.

In the searching, an image as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on thedisplay 5 and the operator selects the image index by using the functionkey 34. Or, the operator inputs the key word or key No. by the keyboard7 into the areas of (g) and (h) in FIG. 13.

The CPU 10 subsequently examines the document management file one recordby one and selects the record which coincides with the image indexpattern, key word, or key No. which was selected or inputted.

Now, assuming that the selected index image is, for instance, only theindex image of (a) including the character image of “PARTS” in FIG. 13,the image index including the character image of “DRAWING” is notselected, so that the image index pattern differs from that in FIG. 14and the bit corresponding to (e) is equal to 0.

When the record in the document management file in FIG. 15 is examined,however, all of the records having the image index patterns in which “1”has been set to the same position as the bit position at which “1” hadbeen set in the image index pattern inputted upon searching areselected. Therefore, in the above example, the top item “PARTS CATALOG”,the second item “PARTS DRAWING”, and the fourth item “PARTS DRAWING” inFIG. 15 are selected.

When “150” has already been inputted as a key No., only the second item“PARTS DRAWING” is obviously selected. When “PARTS DRAWING” has beeninputted as a key word, the second item “PARTS DRAWING” and the fourthitem “PARTS DRAWING” are selected.

In the case where a plurality of originals were searched, the operatoragain selects either one of them by using the keyboard 7 as mentionedabove.

When one original is finally selected, on the basis of the pagemanagement file in FIG. 16, the record of the first page of the originalis selected by the page file pointer of the record and, further, thenode is designated, so that the FAT entry of the first page is obtainedfrom the node table.

By tracing the FAT in FIG. 20, accordingly, the logical address train isobtained, the compressed image data on the magnetooptic disk 35 issequentially read out from the disk drive 115, and the image of thefirst page is displayed on the display 5 along the path of the datamentioned above.

The erasing operation of the recorded image information will now bedescribed.

First, after the image was searched as mentioned above, in case oferasing the image, such a request is instructed to the CPU 10 by thekeyboard 7.

Thus, “0” is recorded in the term of “DELETION” in which “1” has beenstored so far in the document management file in FIG. 15.

Similarly, “0” is also written to the item of “DELETION” in the pagemanagement file in FIG. 16.

Further, by tracing the node, the FAT corresponding to the clusterconstructing each page included in the original image is rewritten fromthe “USED” state so far (namely, since the logical address of the nextcluster has been written) to the “ERASED” state.

As mentioned above, since the very large image data as an informationamount itself is not rewritten in the erasure, its operation is promptlyfinished.

The condensing operation will now be described.

As will be obviously understood from FIG. 20, in the recording operationof the image, the writing operation of the compressed image data isexecuted for the cluster having the continuous logical addresses inorder to perform the recording operation at a high speed.

By continuing the recording operation, a state in which the unusedcluster train having the continuous logical addresses have completelybeen used is obtained. As mentioned above, however, since there is apossibility such that the erasing operation has been performed, byshortening the clusters in the erased state, for instance, the portionsof 62AD to 62AF in case of the example of FIG. 20, the continuouslogical addresses are newly obtained.

Such a “shortening” operation is called a “condense”.

For example, as for the FAT, in case of FIG. 20, the condensingoperation is executed by moving the areas 62B0 to 62BA to the areasstarting from 62AD and by shortening the clusters in the erasing stateexisting in 62AD to 62AF.

Consequently, the unused areas on the right side are enlarged in theleft direction by only the amount of such a movement in case of theexample of FIG. 20.

Upon movement of the clusters, the FAT entries in the node table in FIG.17 are also rewritten to those after completion of the movement.

With respect to the document management file in FIG. 15 and the pagemanagement file in FIG. 16, the records in which the item of “DELETION”is set to “0” are shortened and the page file pointers are also writtento the pointers according to the page management file after the recordswere shortened.

The condensing operation is executed as mentioned above.

The image receiving apparatus 300 is not used only for the imagereception but is also used for other objects. Therefore, the imagereceiving apparatus is constructed in a manner such that even in anotherarbitrary operation, for example, even in the case where an image isarbitrarily received during the execution of a calculating process orthe like, while the calculating process or the like is continued, thereceived image information can be stored to the magnetic disk 305 in theimage receiving apparatus 300 or to the image file apparatus 400connected to the outside via the external interface 313.

FIG. 7 shows the screen to preset a processing mode when an image isreceived during the execution of another arbitrary operation.

The operator can set a mode, a preserving destination side, a deletingmode, an automatic print mode, or the like by using the mouse 308.

A program to perform such a setting operation has been stored in the ROM317 and is executed by the CPU 316 before the execution of anotherarbitrary program such as a calculating process or the like or thereception of an image.

The operation when an image is received in accordance with the mode seton the screen is executed as follows.

Mode: AUTOMATIC

When an image is received, even during the execution of another program,a process to store the image information to the image file apparatus 400connected to the outside via the external interface 313 is executed.

Mode: MANUAL

When an image is received, the image information is stored to the disk305 in the image receiving apparatus 300.

Preserving destination: AUTOMATIC

When the image information is stored into the image file apparatus 400,the index image to search-the image has been predetermined in the imagefile apparatus 400 mentioned above and the determined index image isadded to the image information and the resultant data is stored into theimage file apparatus 400.

Preserving destination: DESIGNATED

When the image information is stored into the image file apparatus 400,the index image to search the image in the image file apparatusmentioned above is determined by the selecting operation of the operatoreach time and the determined index image is added to the imageinformation and the resultant data is stored into the image fileapparatus 400.

Deletion: YES

Just after the image information was stored into the image fileapparatus 400, the image information in the disk 305 of the imagereceiving apparatus 300 on the transfer side is deleted.

Deletion: NO

Even after the image information is stored into the image file apparatus400, the image information in the disk 305 of the image receivingapparatus 300 on the transfer side is preserved.

Automatic print: YES

When an image is received, the image is supplied to the printer 315.

Automatic print: NO

Even when an image is received, the image is not supplied to the printer315.

The above results of the selections are stored as a set file into thedisk 305.

The image signal which was subjected to a well-known modulation and wastransmitted by the well-known facsimile apparatus 322 is transmittedthrough the well-known public telephone network 321 to the imagereception unit 301 of the image receiving apparatus 300. In the imagereception unit 301, the transmitted image signal is supplied from thewell-known NCU (Network Control Unit) 302 to the well-known demodulationunit 303, so that the binary signal is obtained and written into thebuffer 304.

The CPU 316 executes the program stored in the ROM 317 by a multitaskmethod.

An outline of the multitask method will now be described.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the multitaskoperation.

The multitask method is a method of executing the time-divisionaloperations to a plurality of programs on a microtime unit basis, therebyfalsely performing the operations in parallel.

The program in the multitask method is mainly constructed by aninterruption processing section and a plurality of task programs.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the case where the task program allows fourtasks (1) to (4) to be operated in parallel. Reference numeral 501denotes an interruption processing section and 502 to 505 denote taskprograms.

The timer circuit 311 in FIG. 1 is a well-known timer circuit forgenerating a pulse waveform every microtime (5 msec is used in thepresent embodiment) mentioned above. The pulse signal is given to theCPU 316 as an interruption signal which is included in the system bus324 in FIG. 1. Therefore, the CPU 316 executes the interruptionprocessing program every 5 msec.

In FIG. 2, it is now assumed that the program of the task 1 is executedand, at a time point of the end of the execution up to a command I_(ml),an interruption signal from the timer circuit 311 is given to the CPU316. The CPU 316 executes the well-known interrupting operation and itscontrol is shifted from the task 1 to the interruption processingsection. In the interruption processing section, an address A_(nl) of acommand I_(nl) to be subsequently executed by the task 1 is preservedinto an entry address storing area 506 for the task 1. An address A_(n2)which has previously been stored in an entry address storing area 507for the task 2 by the operation similar to the preceding time, that is,the address A_(n2) of the next command I_(n2) of a command I_(m2) whichwas finished precedingly in the task 2 is taken out and the process isjumped to the address A_(n2).

The similar processes are repeated and in case of the interruption whichoccurs during the execution of the task 4, the entry address A_(nl) forthe task 1 which has already been preserved before is taken out and theexecution of the task program is started from the command I_(nl) of thetask 1.

By the above method, the time-divisional operations are executed to aplurality of task programs on a microtime unit basis, so that the taskprograms are falsely operated in parallel.

By the above multitask method, in the apparatus, for example, theprogram for automatic image reception corresponds to the task 2 in FIG.2. Therefore, for instance, even when the program such as calculatingprocess, word processing, or the like is being executed by the task 1 inFIG. 2, the image information can be automatically received.

The task 2 is, hereinafter, referred to as a background task forautomatic image reception and the task 1 is referred to as an arbitraryforeground task.

FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are flowcharts showing the program of thebackground task which is executed by the CPU 316.

In step 1, the apparatus waits for the start of the image reception bychecking the demodulation unit 303 connected to the system bus 324. Whenthe start of the image reception is detected in step 1, step 2 followsand the current time and data are obtained by reading the clockingcircuit 312. In step 3, a file in which the current time and date areset to a file name (hereinafter, such a file is called a “time and datafile”) is opened in the disk 305. In step 4, a check is made to see ifthe image reception has been finished or not by examining thedemodulation unit 303. When the reception is continued, a check is madein step 5 to see if the image data generated from the demodulation unit303 exists in the buffer 304 or not. If YES, in step 6, the image datais added into the time and data file.

Although the demodulation unit 303 sequentially writes the received datainto the buffer 304, since the data in the buffer 304 is sequentiallytransferred to the time and date file, the buffer 304 does not need alarge memory size.

After completion of the image reception as mentioned above, theprocessing routine advances from step 4 to step 7 and the time and datefile is closed.

In step 8, a history file is formed on the disk 305 and the file name ofthe time and date file is written as a reception history into thehistory file. In step 9, by examining the foregoing set file, a check ismade to see if the automatic print mode has been set to “YES” or not. IfYES, in step 10, the image data of the time and date file is supplied tothe printer 315. In this instance, the image data is expanded from thewell-known MH or MR compressed image data as a format of the receivedimage information and the image is outputted to the printer 315 in avisible format.

By checking the set file in step 11, if the automatic mode has been set,step 12 follows. However, when the manual mode has been set, theprocessing routine is returned to step 1 and the apparatus prepares forthe next reception. In case of the manual mode, nothing is written intothe area to store the information indicating whether the history filehas already been preserved or not. Due to this, as will be explainedhereinlater, on the basis of the history file displayed on the display5, whether the file has been preserved in the image file apparatus 400or not can be known.

In step 12, a check is made to see if the image file apparatus 400 canstore the image via the external interface 313 or not, that is, whetherthe power source has been turned on and the magnetooptic disk 35 hasbeen set or not or the like. When the image cannot be stored, a mark [?]indicative of “unpreserved” is written into the history file in step 13.The processing routine is returned to step 1. When the image fileapparatus 400 can store the image, in step 14, the set file is checkedto see if the preserving destination side has been set into theautomatic mode or not. When it has been set into the automatic mode, theautomatic image index number which has previously been selected is readout from the set file and is set into the image index No. that istransmitted to the image file apparatus 400 at present. In step 16, thetime and date used in the time and date file are set to a key word thatis transmitted to the image file apparatus 400 at present. Theprocessing routine advances to step 25.

In step 14, in the case where the preserving desgination side has beenset to the designated mode, step 17 follows and the timer circuit 311 isstopped. Therefore, although the foreground task is interrupted untilthe timer circuit 311 is again activated, this is because it is intendedto allow the operator to execute the designating operations of the indeximage in steps 19 to 22. Step 18 relates to a process to return thedisplay of the display 5 to the state at the interruption time pointwhen the state of the interrupted foreground task is restarted later.Namely, step 18 relates to a process to preserve the contents in thedisplay memory 319 to the disk 305.

In step 19, the index image is obtained via the external interface 313from the image file apparatus 400 connected to the outside. In step 20,the index image is displayed onto the display 5. At the same time, instep 21, the image received at present, namely, the time and date fileis expanded as mentioned above and, after that, the expanded image isdisplayed on the display 5.

In step 22, the index image number and the key word which are inputtedby the operator are accepted. The index image number is a number whichis unconditionally allocated to the index image stored in the image fileapparatus 400. By supplying such an inputted number to the image fileapparatus 400, the index image can be designated.

After completion of the index designating operation, in step 23, thecontents in the display memory preserved in step 18 are read out fromthe disk 305 and returned to the display memory 319. In step 24, thetimer circuit 311 is again activated. Consequently, the foreground taskis restarted from this time point.

In steps 25 and 26, the index image number and key work which weredetermined as results of the above processes are transmitted to theimage file apparatus 400. In step 27, the time and date file istransmitted. In this instance, in the case where the image storingformat of the image file apparatus 400 relates to the MH or MRcompression mentioned above, the image data can be transmitted in theformat as it is. However, in case of another format, the image of thetime and data file is again converted into the image in such a formatand, after that, the converted image data is transmitted.

In step 28, a preserved mark [*] indicating that the current time anddate file has been transmitted to the image file apparatus 400 iswritten into the history file.

In step 29, the set file is checked and in the case where the deletionmode has been set to “YES”, the time and date file on the disk 305 isdeleted in step 30. After the image information received was processed,the processing routine is returned to step 1 and the apparatus preparesfor the next reception.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the display of the history file formed bythe control as mentioned above. Thus, the operator can know the historyof the file received.

[] denotes that in the storage into the image file apparatus 400, thefile received in the manual mode is not yet preserved in the image fileapparatus 400. [*] denotes that the file received in the automatic modehas completely been preserved in the image file apparatus 400. [?]denotes that the file received in the automatic mode cannot be preservedbecause the image file apparatus 400 is not in the standby state.

Although the foregoing program has been stored in the ROM in theembodiment, it is also possible to construct in a manner such that theprogram stored in a medium such as a floppy disk or the like is read outfrom the FDD (not shown) and stored into the RAM and the program isexecuted.

As described above, after the received data was stored into the firstmemory means, the data stored in the first memory means is stored intothe second memory means. Therefore, the image can be freely searched orthe like in the second memory means and the using efficiency isimproved.

What is claimed is:
 1. A data receiving apparatus comprising: a receiveradapted to receive data; first and second memory units adapted to storedata; and a processor adapted to execute a plurality of differentprocesses independently and in parallel, wherein, when said receiverreceives another item of data while said processor is executing a firstprocess to process an item of data, said processor executes a secondprocess to cause said first memory unit to store the other item of datafrom said receiver and cause said second memory unit to store the otheritem of data stored in said first memory unit in parallel with executingthe first process to continue processing the item of data beingprocessed, and wherein said processor does not execute the first processfor the other item of data and does not execute the second process forthe item of data.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidprocessor executes in time-sharing manner a plurality of data processesin parallel.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said firstmemory unit includes a magnetic memory medium, and said second memoryunit includes a magneto-optic memory medium.
 4. An image receivingapparatus comprising: a receiver adapted to receive image data via afacsimile transmission; an output unit adapted to output the image datato an image searching apparatus; and a controller adapted to controlsaid receiver and said output unit, in parallel with executing one of acalculation process and a word processing operation, wherein saidcontroller causes the image data received by said receiver to be outputto the image searching apparatus in parallel with continuing thecalculation process or the word processing operation, when the imagedata is received by said receiver while said controller is executing oneof the calculation process and the word processing operation.
 5. A dataprocessing method in a data processing apparatus adapted to execute aplurality of different processes independent and in parallel, saidmethod comprising the steps of: receiving another item of data while afirst process, to process an item of data, is executing; and causing toexecute a second process so as to output the other item of data receivedduring processing of the item of data to an external data storage devicein parallel with executing the first process to continue processing theitem of data being processed, wherein the first process is not performedon the other item of data, and the second process is not performed onthe item of data.
 6. A data receiving apparatus comprising: a receiveradapted to receive data; first and second memory units adapted to storedata; an instruction unit adapted to instruct as to whether to storedata stored in said first memory unit in said second memory unit; acontroller adapted to execute a control in either a first mode, inwhich, when the data received by said receiver is stored in said firstmemory unit, data stored in said first memory unit is stored in saidsecond memory unit irrespective of an instruction from said instructionunit, or a second mode, in which, when the data received by saidreceiver is stored in said first memory unit, data stored in said firstmemory unit is stored in said second memory unit in accordance with aninstruction from said instruction unit; and a selector adapted to selectone of the first and second modes, wherein said controller does notexecute a first process on data when in the first mode, and saidcontroller does not execute a second process on data when in the secondmode.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said first memoryunit includes a magnetic memory medium and said second memory unitincludes a magneto-optic memory medium.
 8. An image receiving apparatuscomprising: a receiver adapted to receive image data via a facsimiletransmission; a memory unit adapted to store the image data; an outputunit adapted to output the image data to an image searching apparatus;an instruction unit adapted to instruct as to whether to output theimage data stored in said memory unit to the image searching apparatus;and a controller adapted to select one of a first mode, in which, whenthe image data received by said receiver is stored in said memory unit,image data stored in said memory unit is output by said output unitirrespective of an instruction from said instruction unit, and a secondmode, in which, when the image data received by said receiver is storedin said memory unit, image data stored in said memory unit is outputfrom said output unit in accordance with an instruction from saidinstruction unit, wherein said controller executes control based on aselected mode, wherein said controller does not execute a first processon data when in the first mode, and said controller does not execute asecond process on data when in the second mode.
 9. A reception controlmethod comprising: in a first mode: a storage step of storing receivedimage data in a memory unit; and an output step of automaticallyoutputting the image data stored in the memory unit to anotherapparatus; and in a second mode: a storage step of storing receivedimage data in a memory unit; and an output step of outputting the imagedata stored in the memory unit to another apparatus in accordance withan instruction from an external unit, wherein a first process is notexecuted on data when in the first mode, and a second process is notexecuted on data when in the second mode.
 10. A method according toclaim 9, further comprising: a selection step of selecting one of thefirst and second modes; and a control step of controlling based on theselected mode.
 11. A data processing apparatus comprising: a processoradapted to execute a plurality of different processes independently andin parallel, wherein, when another item of data is received while saidprocessor is executing a first process to process an item of data, saidprocessor executes a second process to receive the other item of dataand transfer the other item of data to an external apparatus in parallelwith executing the first process to continue processing the item of databeing processed, and wherein the first process is not executed on theother item of data, and the second process is not executed on the itemof data.
 12. A data processing method comprising the steps of: executinga first process to process a first data; and executing a second processto store received data and transfer the stored data to another apparatusin parallel with executing the first process to continue processing thefirst data being processed, when the data is received while the firstdata is being processed, wherein the second process is not executed onthe first data.
 13. A data processing apparatus comprising: a processoradapted to execute a plurality of different processes in parallel; akeyboard device adapted to input data; a display device adapted toprocess the data input from said keyboard device and to display theprocessed data; and a printer device adapted to print a contentdisplayed by said display device, wherein, when another data is receivedwhile said processor is executing a first process to process the data,said processor executes a second process to store the received data andtransfer the stored data to another apparatus in parallel with executingthe first process to continue processing the first data being processed,and wherein the second process is not executed on the data.
 14. A dataprocessing apparatus comprising: an input unit adapted to input data; aprocessor adapted to execute a first process that includes a process tocontrol an image formation operation based on the input data; and acontroller adapted to execute a second process to transfer another datato an external apparatus in parallel with processing being executed bysaid processor to continue, when the other data, which is different fromthe input data, is input while said processor is executing the firstprocess, and wherein the first process is not performed on the otherdata and the second process is not performed on the data.
 15. Anapparatus according to claim 14, wherein the external apparatus includesan apparatus comprising a storage unit capable of storing a plurality ofdata.
 16. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the externalapparatus includes a data search apparatus adapted to execute a datasearch process.
 17. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the dataincludes image data.
 18. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein theexternal apparatus includes an apparatus comprising a reading unitadapted to read an original image.
 19. An apparatus according to claim14, wherein a process executable by said processor includes a wordprocessing process.
 20. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein aprocess executable by said processor includes a calculation process. 21.An apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a selectoradapted to select one of a plurality of modes, including a first mode,in which it is permitted to automatically execute a process to transferthe other data to the external apparatus, and a second mode, in which itis prohibited to automatically execute a process to transfer the otherdata to the external apparatus.
 22. An apparatus according to claim 21,wherein the plurality of modes includes a third mode, in which it ispermitted to automatically execute an image formation process based onthe other data, and a fourth mode, in which it is prohibited toautomatically execute an image formation process based the other data.23. A data processing method comprising: an input step of inputtingdata; a data processing step of executing a first process that includesa process to control an image formation operation based on the inputteddata; and a control step of executing a second process to transferanother data to an external apparatus in parallel with processing beingexecuted in said data processing step to continue, when the other data,which is different from the inputted data, is input while said dataprocessing step is executing the first process, and wherein the firstprocess is not performed on the other data and the second process is notperformed on the data.
 24. A method according to claim 23, wherein theexternal apparatus includes an apparatus comprising a storage unitcapable of storing a plurality of data.
 25. A method according to claim23, wherein the external apparatus includes a data search apparatusadapted to execute a data search process.
 26. A method according toclaim 23, wherein the data includes image data.
 27. A method accordingto claim 23, wherein the external apparatus includes an apparatuscomprising a reading unit adapted to read an original image.
 28. Amethod according to claim 23, wherein a process executable by theprocessing unit includes a word processing process.
 29. A methodaccording to claim 23, wherein a process executable by the processingunit includes a calculation process.
 30. A method according to claim 23,further comprising a selection step of selecting one of a plurality ofmodes, including a first mode, in which it is permitted to automaticallyexecute a process to transfer the other data to the external apparatus,and a second mode, in which it is prohibited to automatically execute aprocess to transfer the other data to the external apparatus.
 31. Amethod according to claim 30, wherein the plurality of modes includes athird mode, in which it is permitted to automatically execute an imageformation process based on the other data, and a fourth mode, in whichit is prohibited to automatically execute an image formation processbased on the other data.
 32. A computer-readable storage medium storinga program for implementing a data processing method, the programcomprising: program code for an input step of inputting data; programcode for a data processing step of executing a first process thatincludes a process to control an image formation operation based on theinputted data; and program code for a control step of executing a secondprocess to transfer another data to an external apparatus in parallelwith processing being executed in the data processing step to continue,when the other data, which is different from the inputted data, is inputwhile the data processing step is executing the first process, whereinthe first process is not performed on the other data and the secondprocess is not performed on the data.
 33. A storage medium according toclaim 32, wherein the external apparatus includes an apparatuscomprising a storage unit capable of storing a plurality of data.
 34. Astorage medium according to claim 32, wherein the external apparatusincludes a data search apparatus adapted to execute a data searchprocess.
 35. A storage medium according to claim 32, wherein the dataincludes image data.
 36. A storage medium according to claim 32, whereinthe external apparatus includes an apparatus comprising a reading unitadapted to read an original image.
 37. A storage medium according toclaim 32, wherein a process executable by the processing step includes aword processing process.
 38. A storage medium according to claim 32,wherein a process executable by the processing step includes acalculation process.
 39. A storage medium according to claim 32, whereinthe program further comprises program code for a selection step ofselecting one of a plurality of modes, including a first mode, in whichit is permitted to automatically execute a process to transfer the otherdata to the external apparatus, and a second mode, in which it isprohibited to automatically execute a process to transfer the other datato the external apparatus.
 40. A storage medium according to claim 39,wherein the plurality of modes includes a third mode, in which it ispermitted to automatically execute an image formation process based onthe other data, and a fourth mode, in which it is prohibited toautomatically execute an image formation process based on the otherdata.
 41. A data receiving method comprising: a reception step ofreceiving data; and a processing step of executing a plurality ofdifferent processes independently and in parallel, wherein, when anotheritem of data is received in said reception step while said processingstep is executing a first process to process an item of data, saidprocessing step executes a second process to cause a first memory unitto store the other item of received data and cause a second memory unitto store the other item of data stored in the first memory unit inparallel with executing the first process to continue processing theitem of data being processed, and wherein said processing step does notexecute the first process for the other item of data and does notexecute the second process for the item of data.
 42. A computer-readablestorage medium storage a program for implementing a data receivingmethod, the program comprising: code for a reception step of receivingdata; and code for a processing step of executing a plurality ofdifferent processes independently and in parallel, wherein, when anotheritem of data is received in the reception step while the processing stepis executing a first process to process an item of data, the processingstep executes a second process to cause a first memory unit to store theother item of received data and cause a second memory unit to store theother item of data stored in the first memory unit in parallel withexecuting the first process to continue processing the item of databeing processed, and wherein the processing step does not execute thefirst process for the other item of data and does not execute the secondprocess for the item of data.
 43. An image receiving method comprising:a reception step of receiving image data via a facsimile transmission;an output step of outputting the image data to an image searchingapparatus; and a control step of controlling said reception step andsaid output step, in parallel with executing one of a calculationprocess and a word processing operation, wherein said control stepcauses the image data received in said reception step to be output tothe image searching apparatus in parallel with continuing thecalculation process or the word processing operation, when the imagedata is received in said reception step while said control step isexecuting one of the calculation process and the word processingoperation.
 44. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program forimplementing an image receiving method, the program comprising: code fora reception step of receiving image data via a facsimile transmission;code for an output step of outputting the image data to an imagesearching apparatus; and code for a control step of controlling thereception step and the output step, in parallel with executing one of acalculation process and a word processing operation, wherein the controlstep causes the image data received in the reception step to be outputto the image searching apparatus in parallel with continuing thecalculation process or the word processing operation, when the imagedata is received in the reception step while the control step isexecuting one of the calculation process and the word processingoperation.
 45. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program forimplementing a data processing method in a data processing apparatusadapted to execute a plurality of different processes independent and inparallel, the program comprising: code for a reception step of receivinganother item of data while a first process, to process an item of data,is executing; and code for causing a second process to execute so as tooutput the other item of data received during processing of the item ofdata to an external data storage device in parallel with executing thefirst process to continue processing the item of data being processed,wherein the first process is not performed on the other item of data,and the second process is not performed on the item of data.
 46. A datareceiving method comprising: a reception step of receiving data; aninstruction step of instructing as to whether to store data stored in afirst memory unit in a second memory unit; a control step of controllingexecution of either a first mode, in which, when the data received insaid reception step is stored in the first memory unit, data stored inthe first memory unit is stored in the second memory unit irrespectiveof an instruction from said instruction step, or a second mode, inwhich, when the data received by said reception step is stored in thefirst memory unit, data stored in the first memory unit is stored in thesecond memory unit in accordance with an instruction from saidinstruction step; and a selection step of selecting one of the first andsecond modes.
 47. A computer-readable storage medium storing a programfor implementing a data receiving method, the program comprising: codefor a reception step of receiving data; code for an instruction step ofinstructing as to whether to store data stored in a first memory unit ina second memory unit; code for a control step of controlling executionof either a first mode, in which, when the data received in thereception step is stored in the first memory unit, data stored in thefirst memory unit is stored in the second memory unit irrespective of aninstruction from the instruction step, or a second mode, in which, whenthe data received by the reception step is stored in the first memoryunit, data stored in the first memory unit is stored in the secondmemory unit in accordance with an instruction from the instruction step;and code for a selection step of selecting one of the first and secondmodes.
 48. An image receiving method comprising: a reception step ofreceiving image data via a facsimile transmission; a storage step ofstoring the image data in a memory unit; an output step of outputtingthe image data to an image searching apparatus; an instruction step ofinstructing as to whether to output the image data stored in the memoryunit to the image searching apparatus; and a control step of selectingone of a first mode, in which, when the image data received in saidreception step is stored in the memory unit, image data stored in thememory unit is output in said output step irrespective of an instructionfrom said instruction step, and a second mode, in which, when the imagedata received in said reception step is stored in the memory unit, imagedata stored in the memory unit is output in said output step inaccordance with an instruction in said instruction step, wherein saidcontrol step executes control based on a selected mode.
 49. Acomputer-readable storage medium storing a program for implementing animage receiving method, the program comprising: code for a receptionstep of receiving image data via a facsimile transmission; code for astorage step of storing the image data in a memory unit; code for anoutput step of outputting the image data to an image searchingapparatus; code for an instruction step of instructing as to whether tooutput the image data stored in the memory unit to the image searchingapparatus; and code for a control step of selecting one of a first mode,in which, when the image data received in the reception step is storedin the memory unit, image data stored in the memory unit is output inthe output step irrespective of an instruction from the instructionstep, and a second mode, in which, when the image data received in thereception step is stored in the memory unit, image data stored in thememory unit is output in the output step in accordance with aninstruction in the instruction step, wherein the control step executescontrol based on a selected mode.
 50. A computer-readable storage mediumstoring a program for implementing a reception control method, theprogram comprising: in a first mode: code for a storage step of storingreceived image data in a memory unit; and code for an output step ofautomatically outputting the image data stored in the memory unit toanother apparatus; and in a second mode: code for a storage step ofstoring received image data in a memory unit; and code for an outputstep of outputting the image data stored in the memory unit to anotherapparatus in accordance with an instruction from an external unit.
 51. Adata processing method comprising: a processing step of executing aplurality of different processes independently and in parallel, wherein,when another item of data is received while said processing step isexecuting a first process to process an item of data, said processingstep executes a second process to receive the other item of data andtransfer the other item of data to an external apparatus in parallelwith executing the first process to continue processing the item of databeing processed, and wherein the first process is not executed on theother item of data, and the second process is not executed on the itemof data.
 52. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program forimplementing a data processing method, the program comprising: code fora processing step of executing a plurality of different processesindependently and in parallel, wherein, when another item of data isreceived while the processing step is executing a first process toprocess an item of data, the processing step executes a second processto receive the other item of data and transfer the other item of data toan external apparatus in parallel with executing the first process tocontinue processing the item of data being processed, and wherein thefirst process is not executed on the other item of data, and the secondprocess is not executed on the item of data.
 53. A computer-readablestorage medium storing a program for implementing a data processingmethod, the program comprising: code for a first processing step ofexecuting a first process to process a first data; and code for a secondprocessing step of executing a second process to store received data andtransfer the stored data to another apparatus in parallel with executingthe first process to continue processing the first data being processed,when the data is received while the first data is being processed,wherein the second process is not executed on the first data.
 54. A dataprocessing method comprising: a processing step of executing pluralityof different processes in parallel; an input step of inputting datausing a keyboard device; a display step of processing the data inputusing the keyboard device and displaying the processed data; and a printstep of printing a content displayed in said display step, wherein, whenanother data is received while said processing step is executing a firstprocess to process the data, said processing step executes a secondprocess to store the received data and transfer the stored data toanother apparatus in parallel with executing the first process tocontinue processing the first data being processed, and wherein thesecond process is not executed on the data.
 55. A computer-readablestorage medium storing a program for implementing a data processingmethod, the program comprising: code for a processing step of executingplurality of different processes in parallel; code for an input step ofinputting data using a keyboard device; code for a display step ofprocessing the data input using the keyboard device and displaying theprocessed data; and code for a print step of printing a contentdisplayed in the display step, wherein, when another data is receivedwhile the processing step is executing a first process to process thedata, the processing step executes a second process to store thereceived data and transfer the stored data to another apparatus inparallel with executing the first process to continue processing thefirst data being processed, and wherein the second process is notexecuted on the data.